Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 8 September 2004 at 7.30pm
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington

Clerk: Mrs Di Carter, 20 Springfield, Four Seasons Village, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8DP
Tel: 01837 680125
E-mail: cartergrth@aol.com

Present: Peter Tucker (Chairman), Mike Leatham (Vice-Chairman), David Brown, Stella Burrows (7.50pm), Roger Keen, Stan Parker, Myc Riggulsford

In attendance: 7 members of the public & Di Carter - Clerk to the Parish Council

1. Apologies for absence
   Jean Checksfield and David Venner - Co-ordinator, Project 2000, sent their apologies.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2004
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2004 were accepted and adopted by the Council. The Chairman signed the Minutes.

3. Matters Arising

   1. Refuse
      Playing field - the Chairman reported that a further large amount of refuse had been left around the recycling bins. Torridge District Council had removed this prior to the Fete.
      Village collections - Residents affected by the refuse vehicle being unable to access their properties were continuing to be very helpful and taking their refuse to the end of the road.

   2. Parked Car
      PC Hagan and Torridge District Council had made every effort to try to get the car removed. The Clerk had written to the registered owner of the vehicle c/o the letting agency asking for the car to be moved but to date no response has been received.

   3. BT Payphone
      No further communication has been received from BT.

   4. Appointment of new PC in Torrimgton
      The Chairman read a letter from the Chief Constable's office thanking the Parish Council for their letter which has been forwarded to Acting Chief Superintendent Swani, Commander of North and East Devon Basic Command Unit.

   5. Wessex Trains
      A response to the Parish Council's letter has been received. It endeavoured to explain their operation of the Exeter to Barnstaple line. The Clerk has replied stating that the Parish Council still has concerns and asking that the Parish Council be kept informed of any decisions taken regarding the service.

   6. Vandalism
      Following the vandalism to the bus shelter there have been no further incidents. The bus shelter repairs are in hand.

   7. Torridge District Council
      Proposed closure of Torrington office. The Chairman felt there was not sufficient evidence of use by High Bickington residents to warrant Parish Council intervention.

   
   

4. Matters Raised by the Public
   The boundary wall at Corfe Close and the works carried out by Highways was raised. This matter to be dealt with under agenda item 8 - Highways and Maintenance.

5. Police Matters
   There is a Torridge Police Liaison meeting on Thursday 9 September. Stella Burrows will be attending and the Chairman asked anyone wishing to raise an issue to let Stella know.
   PC Hagan is currently on leave, another Officer is covering his duties.

6. Matters raised by the Chairman
   There were no matters raised by the Chairman.

7. Parish Plan
   Copies of David Venner's September update were circulated with the agenda. GOSW has extended their decision date of 26 August for the Little Bickington Farm planning application. The process is being pursued by various means and John Burnett MP has written to GOSW on behalf of Project 2000. David Brown said he has been advised this extension is not unusual and not a serious cause for concern.

   Stan Parker reported that a large number of people have expressed to him their concerns about a further 100 dwellings being built in the village. The Chairman felt these concerns should be reported to himself, David Brown or David Venner at Project 2000, all of whom are always available and wililng to discuss any concerns. David Brown said a very small number of adverse comments regarding the Little Bickington Farm project were put forward at the recent Exhibition. Most were constructive suggestions for amendments which will be addressed.

   The Chairman said the Little Bickington Farm project had been unanimously supported by the Parish Council. Mr Tanner's development had been strongly opposed by the Parish Council and Torridge Planners, but Torridge Councillors had overridden their opposition and approved the plans.

   South West Water have advised that they believe there may be difficulties with capacity at the sewage plant which needs to be investigated. A survey will cost £13,000. David Brown reported a meeting with the Chief Executive of Devon County Council and the Chief Executive of South West Water to look at the situation. Devon County Council has agreed to fund the survey and the project budget has monies built in to cover unexpected costs. It was noted that South West Water, in the Local Plan, had stated that there were no problems in the area and this statement is in direct conflict with their present opinion.

   High Bickington CPT Ltd. David Brown had circulated a paper to all Councillors for consideration and outlined the formation and operation of the CPT. Recommendations to the Parish Council were made in the paper.

   At this point David Brown declared an interest and withdrew from the discussions and decisions on the CPT.

   Councillors considered the recommendations and resolved:

   1. Proposed by Roger Keen, seconded by Stella Burrows and agreed unanimously: to take up membership of the High Bickington CPT Ltd by purchasing one share at a cost of £1.

   2. Proposed by Stella Burrows, seconded by Myc Riggulsford and agreed unanimously: To nominate Mike Leatham as the Parish Council Director of the CPT Ltd. Councillors thanked Mike Leatham for accepting this nomination.

   3. To write a letter of appreciation of the work undertaken to date by High Bickington Project 2000 and resolve that High Bickington CPT Ltd take future responsibility for the day to day implementation of the Parish Plan 2003 to 2023 on behalf of the Parish Council.

   
   The Chairman reiterated his hope that any queries on the project are referred to himself, David Brown or David Venner. He also urged anyone wishing to apply for affordable housing to ensure their names are on the Torridge District Council housing list.

8. Highways
   The Chairman reported the events which have taken place regarding the boundary wall at Corfe Close. The Parish Council had written to Highways expressing their concern that the Parish Council had not been contacted for their views on the proposals before work was undertaken. Residents had also written and a petition organised. Highways have explained that providing a pavement in this location would not pass a safety audit.

   It was unclear whether the Lengthsman had visited the village. Another visit is due shortly.

9. Finance

   1. The financial statement as at 8th September 2004 was approved and accepted by the Council and payments required were approved.

   2. Audit.
      The Internal Audit had taken place and the certificate from the Audit Commission is awaited.

   3. Budget 2005/06.
      Having considered three options, the Finance Committee was recommending a precept increase of 18.5% to accommodate the loss of the Concurrent Functions Grant. This represents an increase of £2.76 per band D household. The likely increase in the number of properties during the year 2005/06 will reduce this figure to individual properties. Minor adjustments are required and a decision will be taken on the final budget at the meeting to be held on 13 October 2004.

10. Planning

    1. Planning applications dealt with by Planning Sub-Committee:

       1. 1/1337/2004/FUL
          Garden shed/workshop, High Downs, Ebberley St Giles, Torrington
          Mr & Mrs Beer
          DECISION: The Parish Council supports this application

       2. 1/1402/2004/FUL
          Retrospective application for installation of toilet & wash basin in detached garage
          Taw Cottage, Kingford, High Bickington
          D Wright
          DECISION: The Parish Council supports this application.

    2. Applicataions received before the meeting:
       There were no applications.

    3. Planning decisions:

       1. 1/0984/2004/COU
          Change of use from A1 to A2, High Bickington General Stores, North Road, High Bickington.
          Mr & Mrs McDonald
          DECISION: GRANTED

       2. 1/0328.2004/COU
          Barn conversion to form annexed unit of residential family accommodation
          Bales Ash, High Bickington
          Mr C Tett
          DECISION: GRANTED

       3. 1/1221/2004/FUL
          Variation of condition 2 of planning application 1/1518/2002 to allow for the construction of new generator house, track widening, cattle grid, retaining wall, conversion of generator house to boat house and alteration to layout of ponds.
          Land at North Heale, Langridgeford
          Mr L F Brown
          DECISION: GRANTED

    
    The Chairman reported that Poltaire, the development of Fountain Fields, have agreed to a meeting with members of the Parish Council and the public. This is scheduled to take place on 20 September and will be confirmed. Notices will be displayed on the boards in the village.

11. Correspondence

    1. Devon Association of Parish Councils - AGM Saturday 25 September 2004. Circulation pack.

    2. Great Torrington & District Community Development Trust - Meeting Thursday 16 September 2004. David Brown is attending and is happy to represent the Parish Council. Details in circulation pack.

    3. Torridge District Council - Public entertainments Licence - Church Hall, High Bickington. Notices had been displayed on the boards in the village and the Parish Council had not objected to the continuation of this licence.

    4. Office of Deputy Prime Minister - consultation documents. In circulation pack.

    5. DCC - Notice of intention to adopt Devon Structure Plan 2001 - 2016. In circulation pack.

    6. TDC - notice of intention to adopt Torridge District Local Plan - in circulation pack.

    7. Great Torrington Town Council - copy letter re matching grant scheme - in circulation pack.

12. Outstanding Matters
    Quality Parish Status - the Chairman reported that the Clerk has been making enquiries to try and clear up certain points and advice which had been misleading. She was very appreciative of the help and advice given by the Clerk to Instow Parish Council. To comply with the requirements of Quality Parish status the Parish Council will have its own pages on the High Bickington CPT Ltd website which can be accessed at www.highbickingtonparish.co.uk. The Clerk will also write a quarterly report for High Bickington Parish Council in the community news section of the North Devon Journal.

13. Items for Information
    There were no items for information.

14. Date of next meeting
    Wednesday 13 October 2004 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.